On Monday, July 23 the official Horses on Parade Auction kicked off its online portion at www.horsesonparade.org.

The online portion of the Horses on Parade Auction will continue through Friday. September 7. Then, all online bids will be transferred to the live portion of the auction, which will be held at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center on Saturday, September 15. Online bidders are encouraged to attend the live auction gala or phone in to maintain their high bids.

Most horses are included in the auction. In fact, 123 of the 159 were not purchased by their sponsors, who had the choice of buying their horse for a flat fee or signing them into the auction.

WXXI Public Broadcasting is providing its online capabilities for the Horses on Parade Auction. However, WXXI will not receive any proceeds from the sales of horse.

The full purchase price of each horse bought at auction will be donated to Rochester-area charities: 25 percent to one or more of the pre-selected charities (Camp Good Days and Special Times, the Children's Hospital at Strong, Hillside Work Scholarship Connection, Wilson Commencement Park, and the Arts and Cultural Council for Greater Rochester), and 75 percent to a qualified 501 (c) 3 charity of the winning bidder's choice.